There was a full page feature on Anomia in the February 28th issue of The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. I'm finally just getting around to posting this on the blog as the article generated A LOT of interest which has kept me pretty busy on a number of different fronts.

For those of you curious about what press coverage like this can do for a business consider the following.

The Globe piece generated over 200 orders from interested readers. Anomia was also picked up by a number of new retail outlets. Before the piece ran, Anomia was in 3 retail stores in the Boston area. It's now available in 11 stores around New England, and the list continues to grow.

The Globe coverage also led to interest from a few toy industry Sales Reps. A Sales Rep. typically covers a specific region of the U.S. I'm pleased to say that I recently signed on with a Rep. whose company serves around 2,000 stores in the New England area alone. I'm hoping this relationship will lead to orders from many more retail stores in New England, as well as connections with other reps/stores around the country.

I thought I'd also share a couple of emails I got from people who purchased Anomia because of the Globe coverage:

"Hi, Mr. Innes!As a transplanted Baystater, I still keep up with all things Boston via the Boston Globe--which is where I learned about your invention, "ANOMIA". Believing that entrepreneurs need support (especially in times like these!), I ordered "ANOMIA", and my husband and I played a couple of rounds with my parents, who loved the game so much I ordered them a copy, too. Then, our Grandchildren (11 and 14) came to visit for a week, and your game was a hit! They begged to play one more time before leaving, and I knew that they had to have one of their own, so I ordered a third! Your game is fun, fast-paced, and a challenge for all--children, boomers, and seniors alike. In short, it's a real winner, and I am doing my level best to bolster this flagging economy by purchasing your game for all of your new-found fans. I hope the recent publicity resulted in a deluge of orders, and that your initiative is rewarded with success beyond compare!"-------"Hi,I read the article that was on Boston.com and ordered Anomia on a whim. Our family has had so much fun playing this game with our friends. We have never laughed so hard and for so long! My teenagers have shared the game with their friends and it has become an instant hit. We are ordering additional games to give as birthday gifts. Thanks for dreaming this game up."

All in all, pretty amazing. It's so great to see Anomia really resonating with people!

Ok, enough about the Globe piece and on to other news...

Anomia Press recently joined ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailers Association. I'm looking forward to attending the ASTRA Marketplace convention this June. This will be a great opportunity to meet independent retailers from all over the country and introduce them to Anomia.

I'm also very excited to announce that Anomia has been accepted into the 2010 Mensa MindGames competition! As the Mensa site says: "Game manufacturers enter their newest products in pursuit of the Mensa Select® seal — proof that the most avid game-players in the country have judged their games to be the best"

Being one of the five games selected for the Mensa Select® seal would be a huge boost for Anomia! The winners will be announced in late April. Fingers crossed!